Older people and people with a disability in the Pearce electorate are set to benefit from the release of extra one-off funding announced this week to support Home and Community Care projects in Western Australia, Christian Porter today announced.

Federal Member for Pearce Christian Porter said that Western Australia’s total Home and Community Care program funding for 2013-14 rose by 7.8 per cent to $266.4 million this year, of which the Australian Government has contributed $161.7 million and the State Government $104.7 million.

Within this funding envelope, extra one-off funding was this week announced to support targeted priority areas of need.

The electorate of Pearce will be receiving $250,000 of the fund and will be allocated to 2 service providers:

Rise Network in Mundaring, who will receive $150,000 to assist those affected in the January Stoneville bushfires; and

Perth Home Care Services who will receive $100,000 to help develop a viable and sustainable Aboriginal service across the Wheatbelt.

“After working hard to ensure that our local communities receive a fair share of this funding, this is a very welcome investment in our community,” Mr Porter said.

“The Australian Government believes that older Australians deserve to have the support they need to live active and healthy lives and to continue to live at home when possible”

“We know that many older Australians and people with disability prefer to receive support in their own homes,” Mr Porter said.

“The Home and Community Care program provides critical services that help older people and people with disabilities stay independent for longer, by providing care where most people prefer to receive it—in their own homes and communities.”

This one-off funding is in addition to the funding that was given in February earlier this year.